Wednesday, November 01, 2006

"The Hour of Truth has Arrived!"

That's what Muhammad Ali kept shouting on his way to the ring to meet Joe Frazier in their classic first matchup -- "The hour of truth has arrived"! And so it has for your Milwaukee Bucks. Opening night is here.

Every new season brings both hope and trepidation. But for one day, at least, there's a new bounce in my step. The silly season of speculative moves, uniform unveilings, logo reviews, ownership uncertaintly, and prospective trades is finally over. Now its time for the boys to step up and come correct. To show what they've got... or don't have.

And, as always, the 2006-07 Bucks begin their transpontine adventure on the road. This time they must return to the scene of their former demise. The Palace at Auburn Hills, Michigan. The fateful place where the rugged Pistons ended their season in such inglorious but revealing manner.

The Bad Boys put the wood to them in Game 5, yes. But they also helpfully convinced Larry Harris that TJ Ford was a flawed point guard who could never lead his team to a championship and that Jamaal Magliore was a stiff parading in faux All-Star duds. There is sometimes good even in disaster.

But how will this season play out? Will it end again with disappointment? Who can say for sure? This team, like most Harris editions, is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. But, as Churchill said, there are some keys. Will Bogut transition successfully to center? Is Mo Williams a true point guard? When will Bobby Simmons return? Can Charlie Villanueva take charge and be a true second option? Is their commitment to defense real? What can we expect out of all our young second round picks? All these questions and more need to be answered before the story of the 2006-07 Bucks can be told.

That, as they say, is why they play the games. So let's get it on. Game on, Antlerheads!